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The girls’ match between Maura May of Imperial and Kinsley Vapenik of Wauneta had to be halted for an equipment malfunction in Friday night’s tournament. Maura’s hair became caught in Kinsley’s headgear, so with the help of newly-crowned State Wrestling Champ Eli Hinojosa, right, and Maura’s dad, Taylor, the hair was untangled and the match commenced. Grandpa Tim May has a chuckle in the background. (Johnson Publications photo)

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Brextin Moreno literally upended his opponent during a competitive match. (Johnson Publications photo)

Kids’ wrestling tourney couldn’t happen without local volunteers

    When a youth wresting tournament draws 180 youngsters, volunteer help is vital.
    According to organizers of Friday night’s Chase County Youth Wrestling Tourney, the tournament wouldn’t happen without them.
    Shawna Rusher who with her husband, Jeff, coordinate the tourney each year said volunteers make the tournament.
    “We have really good wrestling parent volunteers who helped coach, provide concessions and more,” she said.
    They also helped out on the score tables, while members of the high school wrestling team served as referees.
    With 70 different brackets going throughout the tourney, the Longhorn gym at Chase County Schools was a very busy place Friday night. Two mats with several matches underway on each keep organizers on their toes.
    Among the 180 wrestlers registered for this year’s tournament, 50 came from the Chase County Club, Rusher said.
    Age groups in the boys’ divisions were pre-K/kindergarten, grades 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 and 7-8. There was also a division for girls, in which wrestlers are matched up as closely as coordinators could by weight and age.
    Champions in each class received a trophy, with medals going to second, third and fourth.

 

The Imperial Republican

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PO Box 727

Imperial, NE 69033